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Trypsin is an enzyme that is found in pancreatic juice. Trypsin is responsible for breaking down the proteins supplied to the body. The same task is faced by chymotrypsin. Trypsin and chymotrypsin levels are tested in children and adults with suspected cystic fibrosis or pancreatic insufficiency.
The pancreas is a single gland that consists of two types of tissue called the follicular pancreas and the islet pancreas. Pancreatic follicles are exocrine glands that are responsible for the production of digestive enzymes to break down proteins supplied to the body. Pancreatic islets, on the other hand, perform an endocrine or endocrine function. The islets are responsible for the secretion of hormones that control the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Pancreatic juice
The production of pancreatic juice occurs in the follicular pancreas. Pancreatic juice is a colorless, liquid substance that is secreted from the pancreas. This juice is one of the digestive juices. Pancreatic juice is transported to the duodenum through the main pancreatic duct, called the Wirsung duct, and through the secondary duct, called the Santorini duct. The composition of pancreatic juice is primarily water. Other ingredients are electrolytes, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium ions, as well as enzymes. The most important proenzyme that the pancreas produces is trypsinogen. Trypsinogen is an inactive function of the enzyme. It is converted into trypsin by enteropeptidase, which belongs to the endopeptidases. The chymotrypsinogen is also an important proenzyme. It is also an inactive form of the enzyme and turns into chymotrypsin by trypsin. The other enzymes found in pancreatic juice are pancreatic lipase, alpha-amylase, elastase, nuclease, carboxypeptidases A and B.
The role of trypsin and chymotrypsin
Trypsin is the active form of trypsinogen. Trypsin is the basic digestive enzyme in the human body, the production of which is possible thanks to the exocrine part of the pancreas. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are proteolytic enzymes, i.e. enzymes that break down protein by breaking the peptide bond. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are responsible for digesting proteins that enter the body with food. This process takes place in the small intestine. These enzymes are therefore involved in breaking down proteins into amino acids, which are used by the body as building material and nutrients in the tissues.
But trypsin is not just an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Trypsin is associated with the innate immunity associated with the small intestine. If inflammation develops in the body, oral administration of a preparation that contains trypsin increases the level of protease inhibitors and reduces the level of harmful free radicals. By acting in this way, trypsin stops further tissue damage from occurring and speeds up the healing process. Trypsin and chymotrypsin together reduce swelling and minimize the harmful effects of cathepsin D and elastase.
Trypsin – study
Testing of trypsin and chymotrypsin levels in the blood is carried out in laboratories. They are performed to determine whether the pancreas is working properly. Thanks to the tests, it is possible to find cystic fibrosis or pancreatic insufficiency in the examined person. Cystic fibrosis is a congenital disease. For this reason, tests for trypsin and chymotrypsin levels are mainly performed on newborns and infants. Cystic fibrosis causes damage to the pancreas.
Cystic fibrosis – symptoms
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis are primarily exposed through the respiratory and digestive systems. Patients experience a chronic cough, frequent feelings of shortness of breath and spitting blood when coughing. Patients often have a problem with recurring infections, pneumonia or bronchiolitis. People with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Symptoms of the digestive system include fatty and abundant stools with an unpleasant odor, increased abdominal volume, as well as kidney stones. Patients suffer from malnutrition, vitamin deficiency and obstruction of the pancreatic ducts with mucus.
Cystic fibrosis can lead to infertility and osteoporosis.
Chronic pancreatitis – symptoms
Patients suffer from frequent and chronic abdominal pain and profuse fatty diarrhea. These people suddenly lose considerable body weight. Patients can also notice a markedly increased level of glucose in the collected blood.
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